Motherhood brings balance to softball star

By Ann Miller
Advertiser Staff Writer

Tommy and Leah O'Brien-Amico hoist soon-to-be 2-year-old son Jake, who would be a natural as the bat boy for the visiting U.S. national softball team. Rebecca Breyer • The Honolulu Advertiser

WHO: Women's national softball teams from the United States, Greece, Chinese Taipei and Canada WHERE: Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium WHEN: Today through Sunday ADMISSION: $5 adults, $3 students (with ID) SCHEDULE: Today 11:30 a.m.: Canada vs. Chinese Taipei 2 p.m.: Canada vs. Greece 4:30: USA vs. Greece 7: USA vs. Chinese Taipei Tomorrow 11:30 a.m.: USA vs. Greece 2 p.m.: Chinese Taipei vs. Canada 4:30: Greece vs. Chinese Taipei 7: USA vs. Canada Saturday 11:30 a.m.: Canada vs. Greece 2 p.m.: Greece vs. Chinese Taipei 4:30: USA vs. Chinese Taipei 7: USA vs. Canada Sunday 11 a.m.: third-place game 1:30 p.m.: championship

At 28, she has caught more flyballs, made more throws, hit more softballs and run more bases than most mortals. "We practice so hard," she says, "that for me, when the game comes we're ready to play against anybody."

But softball is not her most impressive accomplishment. That would be the little guy who squirms in the stands or sprints on the sidelines while mom plays.

Jake Thomas Amico turns 2 next month. He throws right, hits anything in his path and is 35 pounds of blue-eyed perpetual motion.

"He won't even sit in front of the TV," says his dad, Tommy. "The only time he sits is to eat. He loves to eat."

Just refueling. Jake is the only child of Tommy and Leah Amico and Team USA, all here for the third annual U.S. Cup at Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium today through Sunday. There will be more.

"You're going to start seeing more and more kids," Leah says. "A lot of the girls are engaged. It's going to be awesome."

Jake was conceived while the second gold medal was still being celebrated. He is a baseball-loving blessing the Amicos appreciate each moment, even as Leah pushes herself into softball's outer limits yet again.

"Our goal was to have a baby as quickly as possible after the Olympics so I could have the full three years leading up to Athens," Leah recalls. "We were very fortunate. Jake came, basically, right away. Our goal now is to have No. 2 right after the next Olympics."

Goals have usually become reality for her.

Amico, one of 15 California players on the U.S. roster, won three NCAA Championships at Arizona. She calls playing on this Olympic team for Wildcats coach Mike Candrea the "ultimate goal in her softball career."

She took time off from school in 1996 to help the United States win the inaugural gold medal in softball. She hit .428 in her collegiate career and complemented three All-America honors with three Academic All-America honors.

There has always been balance in Amico's life, but she admits she never knew a true balance until Jake was born.

"He definitely helps keep things in perspective," Amico says. "I can get over bad games a little quicker. ... The biggest reason for any top athlete or successful person is good balance. If this isn't balance, I don't know what is."

Amico has been an integral, spiritual, low-key cog on one of sport's most successful teams. The United States has been No. 1 in the world since 1986. Along with the two Olympic golds, it has won the past five world championships.

Team USA goes for its fifth consecutive Pan Am Games gold — and 41st straight Pan Am win — in August in the Dominican Republic. It is the only tournament Jake will miss. The well-traveled toddler turned 1 in Hawai'i last year. He's back, and will have his second birthday at the Canada Cup July 6.

"The real challenge is going to be Canada Cup," Tommy admits. "Me and Jake, no mother-in-law (Denise O'Brien), for 10 days. It's a great opportunity for us to bond. No doubt."

Two months later, Leah finds out if she will get a chance at a third Olympic gold.

If she doesn't, it won't be because of Jake. Three months after his birth her game was back. She calls last summer one of her best with the national team. And, in Team USA's 2003 opener, she had four hits in a 14-0 blitz of Canada. Her love for the sport has never faded.

"Nothing has changed," Tommy says of his wife's career since Jake was born. "She just loves the joy of knowing Jake is out there in the stands. And now he's at the point where he's saying 'Mommy, I love you' on the phone when she's away. That just melts her heart."

Leah admits to that in a heartbeat.

"This ride has been better than anything I could have planned," she says. "I wouldn't change anything at all."

SHORT HOPS: Leah O'Brien-Amico is one of six players here from the 2000 Olympic team, along with Laura Berg, Crystl Bustos, Lisa Fernandez, Lori Harrigan and Stacey Nuveman. ... Pitcher Cat Osterman is back after missing last year's U.S. Cup. She was the USA Player of the Year for Texas this season. ... UCLA's Keira Goerl is also here. She pitched a no-hitter in the NCAA championship game against Cal. ... Team USA opens against Greece at 4:30 p.m. today. The Greek team has two players from Greece and 14 Americans of Greek descent.